Variances in NYC are only for economic hardship, so almost certainly no.

The economic hardship case is something I considered. The tower had supposedly lost some of the sf, but if they were allowed to "bulk it up" at the top, that would make up for it. However, if the design were altered to a point (city planning guidelines were very specific on demensions) that it doesn't create the peak that the original does, and with all of the taller towers rising nearby, maybe there is a slim, though unlikely chance that could happen. I wouldn't count on that, and I would definitely rule out restarting the approvals process. Maybe Bloomberg will grant a "pardon" on the way out

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCs77

As from Central Park, the view from 30Rock will change quite a bit too.

Imagine that view, even as the towers are under construction. Cranes everywhere...

__________________NEW YORK. World's capital.

“Office buildings are our factories – whether for tech, creative or traditional industries we must continue to grow our modern factories to create new jobs,” said United States Senator Chuck Schumer.

Why can't we all be happy that we have *something* ready to go finally?

Are you sure you wanna send this back for yet another design redux? Believe you me, Ms. Burden and the NIMBY Orc-hordes would pounce on that kind of opportunity and petition to knock this beauty down to 750'.

Ms. Burden and the NIMBY Orc-hordes would pounce on that kind of opportunity and petition to knock this beauty down to 750'.

I doubt they would try to go through another ULURP process, but remember Burden's claim was that the tower didn't deserve to be in the same "air space" as the ESB spire. Since then, things have changed. There will be a lot more in that "air space".

But I don't think anyone wants to gamble on that, expecially now with financing in place.

Regardless of who ends up in Gracie Mansion, an administration change means a strategy adjustment for developers, who have spent more than a decade getting used to Bloomberg’s taste in real estate projects as well as how his key appointees — from City Planning Commission Chair Amanda Burden to Department of Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri — operate. Now, they have to start from scratch.

.....sources agreed that applications spilling into the next administration could face delays if the new mayor has different priorities, or makes major staff changes.

“It could be pretty hairy with a changing administration,” said David Wolkoff of G&M Realty, the developer of the proposed conversion of the graffiti-covered 5Pointz complex in Long Island City. “Will Amanda Burden be there with the next mayor? I don’t know. We’re all conditioned to how she does business.” The procedural changes that inevitably accompany new leadership “can really slow somebody down if they have a big project on the drawing board,” Wolkoff said.

.....And while the mayor’s only official weigh-in comes at the end of ULURP, insiders said his support is crucial to shepherding a project through the entire process — especially getting it approved by the City Planning Commission, where the commissioner and six of the 13 members are mayoral appointees.

“The mayor’s office is acting behind the scenes throughout the process,” explained Stuart Saft, a real estate attorney and partner of Holland + Knight. “If you have a strong mayor and he wants to put the kibosh on a project, it doesn’t get very far.”

__________________NEW YORK. World's capital.

“Office buildings are our factories – whether for tech, creative or traditional industries we must continue to grow our modern factories to create new jobs,” said United States Senator Chuck Schumer.

Fun little story: Amanda Burden came into my restaurant with a friend for dinner on Halloween...she commented on my costume and was very nice. I texted my friend (NYCLuver) who has always been a die-hard fan of this building, he was all "Poison her." I was like..but she's a sweet lady otherwise. Alas, we made it anyway, kids.

__________________"Also, to be frank, I like dense cities best and care about them most." from The Death And Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs.

If skyscrapers could talk, this one would sound like Jack Nicholson in Joker garb muttering, "Wait'll they get a loada me......"

Yeah, and although the word is used a lot, this tower will become an instant icon. I never get enough of it. It will probably be the greatest tower built in the city since the Chrysler and Empire State buildings. It will get its own companion in 111 W. 57th, together the two taking us both backwards and forward, reviving a greatness in skyscrapers that we have long since seemed to give up on (witness the Nordstrom and Freedom towers). And I think One57 fits in with the new revival.

__________________NEW YORK. World's capital.

“Office buildings are our factories – whether for tech, creative or traditional industries we must continue to grow our modern factories to create new jobs,” said United States Senator Chuck Schumer.

It still remains to be seen if that latest rendering is the one Amanda Burden approved. The final design had to be approved before moving forward, and a rendering from another article shows the other version...if only they would release more renderings.